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Double DNA test used to arrest scooter thiefs. Over the top? Not if you know whose scooter it was.

Paris police knows how to catch a thief. When a 50cc Piaggio scooter was reported stolen, they used fingerprints and two DNA tests to identify the three 17 and 18-year old thieves.

Asked about the costly methods used to solve this common crime, police only said that the investigation was "well run", using "normal methods".

A spokesperson for the French Interior Ministry, when asked by journalists about the methods, refused to comment. (Read on to find out why.)

Each year, tens of thousands of cars and scooters are stolen in France, but DNA tests are only used in cases of serious crime, such as murder or rape.

So, why were DNA tests, costing hundreds of euros each, used to catch a few kids who stole a scooter worth just over 1000 euros?

Don't be surprised: the scooter belonged to one of the sons of Nicolas Sarkozy, Minister of the Interior, ultimate head of the French police force, and presidential candidate.

Source (in French)

See also (Update): Stolen scooter enlivens French politics